Nashville, Tenn. (Jan. 30, 2019) — TEDxNashville is proud to announce their incredible lineup of speakers for the 2019 event. Taking place at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) on March 2 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., the event will feature big names like Scott Hamilton, Ketch Secor and more.
This year’s theme, “A World of Change, A World of Hope,” draws its inspiration from our country’s current climate and the inflection point of change we find ourselves. Speakers will share stories of hope, innovation and change as audience members get to experience critical conversation and the positive impact of human creativity. The featured speakers are:
- Kelly Goldsmith, Marketing professor at Vanderbilt University and named as one of eight Young B-School Professors on the Rise by Fortune Magazine.
- Mark Burnette, Information and cyber security expert at LBMC and professor at Belmont University.
- Scott Hamilton, Olympic figure skating champion, cancer survivor, television broadcaster, motivational speaker and author.
- Dan Gardner, “The Uncertainty Illusion” Consultant and author of books about making good decisions in an uncertain world.
- Chris Kukk, Professor at Western Connecticut State University, a Fulbright Scholar, Book Author, co-host of the Compassionate Achiever podcast, and founding Director of the Center for Compassion, Creativity & Innovation.
- Collin O’Mara, CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, America’s largest wildlife conservation organization.
- Henry Hicks, Consultant, banker, investor and CEO of the National Museum of African American Music.
- Dr. Yaa Kumah-Crystal, Endocrinologist and pediatrician, assistant professor at Vanderbilt UMC and project lead for the Vanderbilt EHR Voice Assistant initiative.
- Dr. Kristine Klussman, Harvard trained psychologist, connection researcher, author and speaker.
- Abai Schulze, Entrepreneur, artist, designer, founder and creative director of ZAAF and recipient of the UNESCO Tremplin Prize for Entrepreneurship.
- Martesha Johnson, Nashville Metropolitan Public Defender, the first African American to be elected to this position, and adjunct professor at Vanderbilt Law School.
- Ketch Secor, Front man for Grammy-award winning Old Crow Medicine Show, children’s book author and co-writer with Bob Dylan of platinum hit “Wagon Wheel.”
- Fallon Wilson, Director of Research at Black Tech Mecca and co-founder of Black in Tech Nashville who earned her PhD from the University of Chicago.
- Sabrina Savage, Astrophysicist at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center who earned her PhD from Montana State University.
As part of this year’s festivities, ticket holders are invited to attend the TEDx360 kickoff event, happening on March 1 from 6–9 p.m. at the Musicians Hall of Fame in Municipal Auditorium. The event will include free food from local restaurants, artistic displays, experiential activities, free tours of the Musicians Hall of Fame (valued at $25), a cash bar and more. Admission is free with the purchase of a general admission TEDxNashville ticket, available online for $60.
For tickets, schedules and additional information, visit tedxnashville.com/main-event-2019/ or follow TEDxNashville on Facebook, Instagram (@tedxnashville) and Twitter (@TEDxNashville).
About TEDxNashville
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience, where x signifies an independently organized TED event. At the TEDxNashville event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx event, including the events in Music City, are self-organized. For more information, visit TEDxNashville or contact info@TEDxNashville.com.